Abstract: The bi-directional displacements, earth pressure, shear stress, geogrids’ axial stress distribution and displacement distribution of a mountainous super-high reinforced embankment were systematically analysed using an elastic-plastic finite element program. The highway from Shiyan to Fangxian was taken as a case study. Results showed that: (1) The lateral earth pressure in geogrids and fills was small, and the vertical earth pressure mainly came from the gravity stress of the fill. (2) The lateral pressure in the concrete masonry retaining wall was large, and the toe of wall bore large pressure and shear stress, so the stability of the foundation should be guaranteed. (3) The maximum tension of the geogrid lied on the bottom of the embankment; the maximum horizontal displacement of the wall face was located on the middle of the embankment. Compressive stress was found at the bottom of the geogrid back-end, which can be decreased by controlling the fill compaction quality. These research results provide references for the design of super-high reinforced embankment in mountainous area, and is of theoretical significance for other similar works.

Key words: Shiyan-Fangxian highway, super-high reinforced embankment, concrete masonry retaining wall, elastic-plastic finite element